The first question every student faces when they embark on their test prep journey is whether to take the SAT or ACT. Of course, this is a question with no easy answer, as each student is different.
Test prep can be a stressful and time-consuming process, but it's also a vital one. At LogicPrep, we set our students up for success by having them take diagnostic SAT and ACT tests at the beginning of our relationship together.
Through our Diagnostic Process, students experience each test and review their scores with a tutor before making a decision about which test to pursue. This provides three main benefits to students:
You (and your tutors) learn how and why you made the mistakes that you did. We look at the topics in question, the frequency of those topics, the difficulty level of the questions, and more. All those factors help us determine if you are likely to score higher on one test over the other.
You don’t waste time simultaneously preparing for two tests, making for a more focused and efficient test prep experience.
You meet multiple tutors throughout the diagnostic process. We help you choose the tutors that best understand you, your learning style, and your goals.
You can read more details about our test prep process here.
Before taking your diagnostic tests, it's important to understand the primary differences between the SAT and ACT:
1. TIMING
The SAT is a dense, critical reasoning test. You have more time per question, but each question has layers that you must decipher in order to answer correctly.
The ACT is a test of speed and recognition. The timing on the ACT may seem impossibly fast, but the language of the questions tends to be more straightforward.
2. CONTENT
Both tests involve nearly identical content, but they present it in different ways:
The SAT is made up of 4 sections: Writing & Language, Reading, Math without Calculator and Math with Calculator. The Writing & Language section tests the student’s mastery of grammar and English language conventions, while the Evidence-Based Reading section focuses on reading comprehension and interpretation of charts and graphs. The two Math sections dive deeply into a relatively narrow range of topics through word problems and other “real-world” applications.
The ACT also has a section dedicated to grammar and language conventions (the English section), but it splits reading comprehension and chart/graph interpretation into two sections: Reading and Science. The Math Section takes a broader approach than the SAT, testing a wider range of concepts but allowing students to use a calculator throughout.
3. STRATEGY
This is the biggest difference between the two tests:
The SAT tends to attract strong readers who can decipher the dense and sometimes tricky language.
The ACT tends to attract straightforward, logical thinkers who can quickly eliminate incorrect answers.
So which should I choose?
Based on the descriptions above, you may already be leaning toward one test or the other. Schools generally do not have a preference for the SAT or ACT, so you just need to pick the test that's best for you.
Now that I’ve chosen my test, how do I prepare?
Start reading regularly! We find a lot of students enjoy reading but have trouble finding the right book (Check out some of the LogicPrep team's favorite books here!).
Begin your Diagnostic Process as early as possible. The earlier you do this, the more time your tutors will have to put together an effective plan that will address your specific needs. After all, understanding what you need to work on is half the battle.
While both the SAT and ACT can seem daunting now, these tests are not insurmountable. Knowing what you need to address and playing to your strengths makes all the difference.